Interesting thread. I have a boy 10 and girl 11 who both have fuji 650 Ace bikes with the paddle shifters. Both kids ride the bikes like the wind and have no issues with the shifters not being brifters. I might not put too much effort into a bike for a 10 year old boy. I suspect he will grow out of it is short order. I purchased the girls bike used for $200. the guy I bought it from informed me that he purchased it for $200 from a guy that informed him that he purchased it for $200. The cost of the bike for the last 3 owners is "Free with a refundable $200 deposit" My girl is already eyeing my wife's Roubaix and the boy will move to my old SST.